German Shepherds are large dog breeds with great energy stamina and impressive physical strength. Some dog owners may face issues living in a small house because of their size and energy level. Most new dog owners must have questions can a German Shepherd live in a small house?
German Shepherds can live in a tiny home if given enough mental and physical stimulus. They will be able to easily adjust to your small home, but it’s crucial to consider their daily needs, such as daily walks, lots of exercises, fun, and mental stimulation through training or supplying interactive toys.
German Shepherds are another extremely active dog breed that requires lots of space. They will require a lot of physical activity and mental challenges to remain healthy and fit. However, if you live in a few apartment living or tiny places, you must take into account the need for sufficient room for movement.
Keeping them in the dog crate, and giving them their place will provide them with space. Your German Shepherd shouldn’t have problems living in a small house if you give him the right care and attention.
This article will be more enjoyable because we’ll cover topics like whether your German Shepherd would do well in a small home, as well as requirements, things to keep in mind, and much more.
So guys let’s explore this topic and discuss it in detail:
Table of Contents
Are German Shepherds Good In Small Houses?
Most pet lovers live in a few apartment life small houses and want to pet some animal like a German Shepherd but seeing their size there always remains confusion are these breeds good in small houses?
German Shepherds can live in small homes, but they still require extra care and attention because they have so many needs. German Shepherds need many exercises to burn off all of their energy because they are pretty energetic. They may exhibit destructive behaviors like gnawing, biting, or hostility if they are not getting enough exercise.
There always remain issues among new dog owners as they do have not much experience in entertaining their dogs, and need to work on their dog needs, socialization needs, and training lessons. The condition may worsen if they do not have enough space or live in very small spaces in houses or apartments.
However, In a developed country like the USA, the average size of the yard is around 4000 square feet and even German Shepherds find this small space quite enough to be comfortable. They can even run or play enough in this space, but providing them with some outer exercise is important.
But what if you do not allow your dog to go outside? If you do not have enough space, your dog will lack physical exercise; they need to go outside and do some physical exercises. No doubt they are very affectionate dogs and love their family members but at the same time, they will need enough space to play and exhaust their energy.
To know about it in detail let’s also know about their history, characteristics, and personality.
German Shepherd’s History
The German Shepherd breed was initially developed by Von Stephanitz in the year 1889. It was bred for herding sheep and protecting livestock. Seeing their intelligence and protection skills people started using this breed for search and rescue operations.
Later in 1890, this breed was standardized, and people started taking work from them. They were intelligent and loyal to their master so it also made preference to keep them as a pet.
It is also very clear that German Shepherds also spent most of their time outside their house. However, there was an open space where they had to protect their sheep or other animals. Still, the origin of this breed is too old but today also people love this breed.
Characteristics And Personality
German Shepherds are very intelligent, loyal, and versatile dog breeds which let them wonderful companions in our house. They come under the category of large dog breed that weighs between 50 to 90 pounds.
Because of their intelligence, they are a quick learner and that’s also the reason they are frequently used for police or military work. They are also loyal to their masters and they always want to please their owners by following their commands.
They are highly active and need plenty of exercise as well as mental stimulation. They love physical activities like walking, running, jumping, and others that allow your German Shepherd healthy and fit.
If we talk about their temperament, German Shepherds are high in confidence and can be a little furious with strangers if they are not socialized. They will need proper socialization lessons to be good at meeting new people or other animals.
Caring Required For German Shepherds
The experience of having a German Shepherd as a pet is always going to be amazing. They will need special care and attention from their owners whether they live in a small or large house.
Since they are a breed with a thick double coat, regular brushing is essential. They do shed a lot all year round. They are among the heavy shedders since they also blow their coats when the seasons change. As a result, frequent brushing and grooming reduce shedding because it also improves their comfort in hot weather.
The new owners need to be aware of their diets in terms of what they eat. They are a breed that is very active and will need all the nourishing food that is high in calcium, protein, vitamins, or other nutrients to maintain their level of energy.
German Shepherds are also susceptible to hip or elbow dysplasia, so you must start monitoring them right away because they require a balanced, nutrient-rich diet to avoid joint problems. To avoid any injuries, they must take adequate precautions when engaging in different physical activities or playing.
They are excellent swimmers and enjoy water activities, so they will feel more comfortable participating in aquatic activities. You can do this activity in your pool, but if it’s your first time, you’ll need to be with him.
And lastly, feeding and playing with German Shepherds are not acceptable forms of care. However, they will also require routine veterinary examinations. Therefore, you should always pay attention to how they behave, and if you see bad conduct, you shouldn’t waste your time; instead, you should work to give them a life that is both healthy and enjoyable.
Exercise requirement
German Shepherds are among the active dog breed and they do need a lot of exercise. They need sufficient space to do all their physical activities. When they lack physical activities or attention this breed can become bored as a result they may become aggressive or develop other behavioral issues.
They may start excessively chewing, barking, or even biting. This shows their frustration and if their conditions are ignored they may always behave aggressively. So it’s important to pay proper attention to your dog to avoid such behavioral issues.
If we talk about German Shepherd puppies they will also need enough space to walk and do some exercises. However, adult German Shepherds will need a little more exercise and physical activities as compared to puppies.
The German Shepherd owner who is living in small houses must be concerned about these situations. They must go for a walk or outside with their dog so that they meet their physical activity requirement. If you remain absent for a week or several days you must ensure someone to entertain them or take care of them.
German Shepherds can enjoy a happy and healthy life in a small house but it’s important to provide them with sufficient exercise, proper care, and frequent training. However, if you bring a German Shepherd puppy into your house for the first time it can easily adjust to the environment but you will have to look for its exercises, training, and physical activities from the initial stage of its life.
Training Requirement
German Shepherds must be familiar with your voice before you start their training period. You can give them some names and start calling so that they can realize your actual voice.
After the realization of their name, they can come to you in one call and also start realizing your reactions. However, it’s important to start training when they are young as the mind of a German Shepherd puppy is open to learning anything and is easy to train.
You can also provide them with some rewards if they learn your commands at once as this also motivates them to obey their master. You should never shout at your dog if they do not learn your command at once as it may become afraid.
Rather it would be better to provide them with some social interactions with new people or other animals which will also benefit them in learning the socializing lessons. Always encourage your dog to follow all your commands through positive reinforcement and making the realization of your love.
When you give them proper training lessons they will behave well and will become smarter. They are highly protective towards their owners so socializing with new people or animals will not allow them to misbehave after meeting strangers or other dogs or new people.
Mental Stimulation
Apart from physical exercise mental stimulation is also important for German Shepherds. They are also known for their intelligence so boosting their intelligence level by providing them with some puzzle toys or some other mental activities will be important.
You can try this in your small house too for example you can hide some toys after letting them sniff and hide them in front of them. Then allow your dog to find it, once they find the thing on their own you can reward them for this wonderful work.
German Shepherd has a hot great sense of smell which allows them to sniff things more efficiently and find them with ease. That is also one of the reasons they are widely used in performing various police and military activities.
Space Requirement
Being a large dog breed German Shepherds need some space for moving around, stretching their whole body, and of course, performing their exercises. But it does not tell us that they can’t live In small houses but the question is how much space do their need to be comfortable all the time or to live in a small house.
German Shepherds will need nearly 4000 sq ft of space to move around, run or catch an object in a room. Although they have got a large body, proper training, planning, and hard work will allow them to be comfortable living in small houses.
They will not face any issues living in small houses or apartments if they get all the necessary daily needs. If you are also living in an apartment or small house then you must look out for their needs as some factors must be considered.
Let’s also discuss some of the factors which you should consider if your dog is living in a small house.
Factors To Consider
German Shepherds can live in a small house if they are provided with all their essential needs. But some things cannot be ignored if you have a small house and want to live with this large dog breed.
Here are some of the factors which you should also know if you are living in a small house with your German Shepherd.
Size
German Shepherd is a large dog breed and needs enough space to move around and exercise. However, 4000 sq ft space will be enough for them but you will have to look for their daily requirements.
If you are living in a small house or apartment complex then you should look for some outer exercise like a morning walk or exercise in the park. This meets their exercise requirement and they also get some fresh air.
You can also put them in a crate or provide some space in a room where they can move and stretch their body. Be sure the gate of your house is closed so that they cannot escape and give birth to any problem for you.
Living Style
A dog owner who lives in a small house has a different lifestyle as compared to a dog owner that has enough space in their house. German Shepherds can adjust to any shelter they are provided. You should not worry If you have a small house and are still willing to have a German Shepherd as your pet.
The only thing you should provide them enough space where they can move their body. Provide them with sufficient exercises and physical activities or you can go outside for a daily walk where they can also run and will meet their daily need.
Availability of Outdoor Space
The owners of small homes won’t have enough outdoor room for their dogs to play or run, but they may still let their dogs outside in places like open spaces or parks where they can easily engage in physical activity.
Owner’s Lifestyle
The owner’s lifestyle is also one of the factors which also affects the life of a German Shepherd. If they remain busy most of the time and do not spend enough time with their dog they may start getting bored or feeling lonely.
It’s always important to keep your dog entertained either by playing with it or by exercising them. If you do not spend enough time with them they may easily get separation anxiety which directly impacts their behavior.
German Shepherds need
German Shepherds will also enjoy living in a small house once you provide them with daily needs like physical exercise, playing, feeding them regularly, or keeping them engaged through other activities.
The owners must realize their requirements as your German Shepherd puppy will need more care and attention than an otherwise dog-friendly, adult one. So you must look out for their activities and needs so that they can remain happy and healthy.
Also Read: Choosing the Right Muzzle For Your German Shepherd In 2023!!! Top Tips!!!
Pro Tips To Keep A German Shepherd In A Small House
Though German Shepherds are large dog breeds they do not have any issues living in small houses. If you are also living in a small house with your dog then you must take proper care and attention. Here are some tips which will also help you a lot in keeping your dog happy:
Providing Sufficient Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Being a very active dog breed German Shepherds will need frequent exercise and mental stimulation. Physical activities help them to remain fit and active while mental stimulation boosts their mental level and they also remain entertained which minimizes the chance to face boredom or separation anxiety.
Creating Designed Space For German Shepherds
German Shepherds will need their own space where they can move and stretch their whole body. You can also keep them in a crate which must be bigger than their size as it also helps in training. At the same time, you can also move their crate wherever you want and they will also feel fully secure.
Training And Modification Of Behavior
Your German Shepherd will also need proper obedience training for various purposes so that you cannot face any problems in living with them. You can also hire some trainers for their behavior who will allow your dog to behave well in all the conditions.
Preventing Destructive Behavior
You should always be aware of the destructive behavior of your dog park your German Shepherd which often triggers when they have been left alone for a longer time or lack discipline. Providing sufficient physical activity keeps them engaged as this also allows them to be fit and healthy.
Potential Challenges
There are several potential challenges that dog owners may face if they keep their German Shepherd in a small house. Let’s also discuss some of the potential challenges that you may also face:
Health Issues
If German Shepherds do not get enough space for their physical activities they can develop many health issues which you should also know. Here are some of the health issues they can face:
Obesity:
Most German Shepherds may ignore the physical activities of their dogs who live in a small house as a lack of exercise or other physical activities may lead them to face the issue of obesity. In such a situation, if their health is ignored it may further lead to other health issues like diabetes, heart disease, or respiratory disease.
Joint Issues:
Since German Shepherds are prone to hip or elbow dysplasia, lack of physical activity may trigger this issue. This disease generally affects their joints that causes lameness, pain, or arthritis. The condition may worsen if your dog does not get enough exercise as they will not be able to get healthy life.
Skin Disease:
German Shepherds can also get skin diseases like allergies or hot spots if they do not get enough space to move. This issue generally occurs due to poor ventilation in the house, hygiene, or lack of space.
Behavioral Issues:
No doubt German Shepherds are a very intelligent dog breed but they too require proper mental stimulation to be prevented from frustration and boredom. They can develop many destructive behaviors like chewing, excessive barking or even biting if they do not get enough mental stimulation.
However, German Shepherds may get these health issues in any house whether it is big or small. Providing them with enough exercise, space to move around and mental stimulation will always minimize the risk of being affected.
So all dog owners must look for their comfort and meet the vets regularly which will be highly important for your dog to stay healthy and fit.
Final Thoughts:
German Shepherd’s protection skill signifies that they love outdoor activities but they do not have an issue with living in a small house unless you provide sufficient physical work, mental stimulation, or other related to their health.
They are a highly active breed and need frequent exercise so you need to provide all these in your house. You can also let your dog go outside for days which will also minimize the risk of getting bored. Providing them with sufficient exercise and enough outdoor activities will keep your German Shepherd happy and healthy.
Frequently Asked Question(FAQs):
Q1. Can A German Shepherd Live In An Apartment?
Yes, German Shepherds can live in an apartment unless the dog owners provide them with basic and essential needs like physical exercise, regular training, consistent mental stimulation, socialization lesson, and others. Without such activities, your dog may face many health as well as behavioral issues that may be destructive to the dog puzzles those who are living in a small house.
Q2. Can A German Shepherd Live In A Small Yard?
German Shepherds can live in a small yard but remember they must have enough space to move around or stretch their whole body.
Q3. How Much Room Does A German Shepherd Need?
German Shepherds will generally need 4000 sq ft of area to be comfortable in a room. As this space will allow them to move and stretch their whole body. Remember to provide all the physical activities and crate training that your dog will need to stay fit and healthy.
Q4. Where Should German Shepherds Live?
Large dog breeds like German Shepherds need room to walk around and stretch out their bodies. After learning about their past, the majority of you may have thought about letting them live in your yard, but they would be content to live indoors with enough room to walk around and engage in their usual physical activities.